Beehive



May 10,- 1932. H. o. BENTON I 1 7,

'BEEHIVE Filed Ndv. 28, 1930 2 sheets sheet 1 A llomey Inventor May 10, 1932 H. O. BENTON BEEHIVE Filed Nov. 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- 0 o 7 O o o I O 0 o Inventor "9 70. lye/77W? Allomey P n y 0, 3 i 4 1,857,709

UM'E'EB STATES raranrorrrct Hana? osonn neuron orjeit'nmxivrntn, walls 1*. l A '3 Application filed. November 28, 19 30.; Serial No. 498,813.

This invention relates to an improved beebottom 1O."v These two sections co-op'erate hive primarily designed for use at an apiary in forming gravity chutes; V 1 p l ,or other placeswhere bees are kept. Interposed between the edge 13 andthe The primary novelty is predicated upon adjacent portion of the bottom is a parti- 5 abeehive which is characterized by a sani tion or frontal insert 14: which provides a tary substantially self-cleaning base. shield'and which is formed with a central More specifically related, the invention re-, notch or entrance opening 15 to expedite onsides in the provision of a composite base tranceand exit of the bee. This superposed or bottom construction for hives which is spaced relationship and reversely inclined 10 individualized by a pair of companion inarrangement'of the parts 10 and 11 'form a clined co-operative sections so arranged-and sort of enclosure or'front porch, so to speak, angled with respect to each other as to faciliindicated by the numeral 16. j tate gravitation of refuse and dead bees, 1 As is observed in Figure 4, the numeral whereby to provide a substantially self-cleanl7rdesignates generally a multiple part rack 5 ing base construction for hives. l or frame structure including longitudinal Other features and advantages will become members I 18 and co-operating transverse morereadily' apparent from the fol-lowing members l9-so spaced and mechanically redescription and drawings. lated as to facilitate ascension and descen- In the drawings; v 1 sion of the beesand to provide appropriate 29 Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a supporting meansfor the honey boxes. 7% a structure developed in accordance with the It .will be observed that the parts 19. as present invention. i seen 1n. Flgure 2 are substantially wedge- FigureQis a central vertical sectional view. shaped in configuratlon. Moreover, it will n Figure 3 is a side elevational view. be seen that thenumeral 20 in Figured des- Figure 4 is a top plan view of the base conlgnates a short perch to facilitate climbing struction per se. and perchmg of the bees.

As observed in Figure 2, the numeral 5 With this sanitary base or bottom icondesignates the box-like housing of the hive struction, it is obvious that all of the cuttings, to which the improved base 6 is attached. droppings, and dead bees roll out under the 39 The base is characterized by a pair of side action of gravity onto the ground whether the walls 7, an intervening bacliwall 8 and open hive .be supported on polesorseated directly front. These walls 7 and 8 are formed with on the ground; The bees are not hampered arcuate or segmental notches 9 which funcin their work, since it is unnecessary to clean tion as air circulating holes. -This forms a house as is necessary with the customary flat sectional rim for the base which is freely bottom formation. and expeditiously aerated for drying and This particular improved base bottomis ventilation purposes. a time saver for the bee keeper as well as the The numeral 10 designates a forwardly bees themselves; Not only are the boardsor and downwardly inclined bottom whose outer sections of the base of a sanitary f0rm,'but

edge 11 projects through and beyond the they are made dry, due to the'fact thatthey open front of the rim. The inclination of are supported in elevated positions in. skirt this part 10 is such as to facilitate gravitation orrim portion [of the base and the walls of; of accumulated materials including dropsaid rim are apertured to facilitate circulapings, dead insects, bees and the like. tion of air for'ventilatin'g and drying pur f Arranged above the main bottom 10 is a poses. l v 1 supplemental bottom section 12 in the form The frontal partition fbetween thelupper of relatively short boards which are inclined and lower sections of the base is so located at rearwardly and downwardly and has its bev-' the rear end of the porch 16 as to minimize A elled edge 13 terminating in spaced relation crawling of thebees. The bees land from above the intermediate portion of the main flight on the front porch,-and are protected from the elements and weather and can expeditiously enter the hive because of this particular shelter and design.

Moreover,-the partitioning board 14 having a restricted entrance, permits the occupant of the hive to more effectively frusta-te V attacks from robber bees since the entrance can be effectively guarded by the appointed servant bees.

'The sections of the base are of solid formation so as to avoid the presence of seams and cracks and to minimize the accumulation and collection of moths, ants, and other lnsects.

Incidently, it is possible with this arrangeportant feature however is in the utilization of the properly co-operating inclined sections of the base such as expedite the accumulation of refuse materials and the discharge therefrom under the action of gravity for selfcleaning purposes, thus relieving the bees of undue work and rendering the place of abode modern and convenient.

The result of the development of stronger bees is less disease and sickness, less work, and the production. of a greater amount of honey.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the'preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A base fora bee hive comprising a pair of side walls and a rear wall having opening therein, a bottom sloping downwardly and forwardly from the rear wall withits front end projecting beyond the front of the base, said bottom being located above the openings, a supplemental bottom wall sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the top of the front of the base to a point a slight distance forwardly of the center of the base, said supplemental bottom wall being spaced above the main bottom, a vertically arranged notched member located between the rear end of the supplemental bottom and'the main bottom, the notch of which forms an entrance opening and a rack resting on the rear part of the bottom and having its upper surface located below the plane of the top of the base and above the plane of the rear part of the supplemental bottom, said rack consisting in a number of longitudinally extending members each having a straight upper edgeand an inclined lower edge which rest on the main bottom and a number of cross pieces connecting the longitudinally extending members together. 1

2. A base for a bee hive comprising a pair of side walls and a rear wall having opening therein, a bottom sloping downwardly and forwardly from the rear wall with its front end projecting beyond the front of the base, said bottom being located above the openings, a supplemental bottom wall sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the top of sisting in a number of longitudinally eXt-endin members each having a straight upper edge and an inclined lower edge which rest on the main bottom and a number of cross pieces connecting the longitudinallyextending members together, and a perch board connected to the upper edge of one of the longitudinally extending members.

In testimony whereof I affix'my signature.

HENRY OSCAR BENTON. 

